Over the years burly Australian Football League full-forward Tony Lockett has made a habit of carving up both opponents and opposing teams.

And he was at it again at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday, helping himself to 11 of the Swans' 21 goals as they hammered Brisbane 21.6 (132) to 10.14 (74).

After leading by only four points at half-time, Sydney thrilled the home crowd to rocket away in the second half.

Lockett's 11-goal haul was the 17th double-figure result of his career and the biggest tally by any full-forward in the competition this year.

He only kicked one behind, from a long-range shot midway through the final quarter.

Lockett's tally easily eclipsed the previous best score by a Swans' player against Brisbane - 7.4 by Mark Bayes in Brisbane on April 17 last year.

One of the more memorable of Lockett's goals was his ninth, which came when he flew for a mark in the third quarter over a highly unusual 'opponent' in umpire Hayden Kennedy, who had to dive to the ground for self-preservation as the big man raced towards the ball.

Reigning premiers Carlton joined the Bears and North Melbourne at the top of the league table by downing St Kilda 13.13 (91) to 9.15 (69) at Waverley yesterday.

North Melbourne had moved to the top after dispatching struggling Fitzroy 25.20 (170) to 9.11 (65) on Friday night.

It was a nervous afternoon for Essendon supporters on Saturday as their team struggled to shrug off a spirited but winless Melbourne 11.23 (89) to 12.5 (77).

Although the Bombers led at every change, Melbourne's keener attack on the ball coupled with some shocking kicking for goal from Essendon meant the match was in doubt until a few minutes from full-time.

Melbourne's improved effort was some consolation for veteran Irish ruckman Jim Stynes who set an AFL record of 205 consecutive games - breaking the 50-year-old record held by Richmond's Jack Titus.

West Coast notched a fourth successive win by flying east to hand out a 34-point demolition to Hawthorn.

The Eagles consolidated a place in the top eight with the 14.6 (90) to 8.8 (56) win.

In the remaining game of the ninth round, eighth-placed Geelong have an excellent chance of bounding up the premiership ladder when they meet a depleted Collingwood at the MCG in the AFL's first Monday night premiership match.